Display holders



United States Patent 3,352,039 DISPLAY HOLDERS Marinus Ten Hoeve, 323 Calvin Court; Peter De Korte,

329 Calvin Court; and Edward Ten Hoeve, 474 Grandview Ava, all of Wyckotf, NJ. 07481 Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 501,032 Claims. (Cl. 40-10) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A display holder for changeable signs. The holder includes a base with upright arms at opposite ends of the base. The arms have longitudinal grooves therein for supporting the edges of changeable cards or signs which are inserted in the grooves. A transparent cover is provided for protecting the changeable cards. The cover has an opening at its lower end to allow the cover to fit over the arms and the base. The side walls and end walls of the cover are tapered outwardly and downwardly and the inner surfaces of these walls frictionally engage the outer surfaces of the arms which are similarly tapered. This frictional engagement secures the cover in position over the signs. The cover may be readily removed to allow changing the cards, and then reinstalled on the base without requiring the use of any tools or fasteners.

The present invention relates to display holders or devices and more particularly to changeable exhibitors, examples of the prior art being disclosed in US. Patents Nos. 2,540,221, 2,037,715 and 1,884,971.

In the merchandising of various commodities, for instance, gasoline, price cards or the like are employed for denoting the prices thereof and which cards are usually displayed by being mounted in a holder on the gasoline pump for ready observation. Inasmuch as the cards are constructed of cardboard, it has been the practice to enclose them in transparent members or covers to protect them from the weather and other elements.

In some prior art devices, a base is provided which is adapted to be attache-d to the gasoline pump for supporting the cover which is formed with a pocket for accommodating therein changeable price cards having indicadenoting the current price of the gasoline. The cover is usually secured by bolts carried by the cover and extending through the base, nuts being threaded on the bolts to secure the cover to and in fixed relation with the base.

In order to change the cards within the pocket, it is necessary to unscrew the nuts, withdraw the cover from the base, remove the cards, change the latter to denote a desired price, insert the cards in the pocket and again secure the cover to the base by means of the bolts and nuts. This manner of changing the cards has been found to be unsatisfactory and objectionable because it is not only irksome and confusing but requires considerable time which is an important factor in areas, such as New York City where the price of gasoline often changes several times in one day, where many busy service stations each have a relatively large number of pumps.

The present invention overcomes the foregoing objectionable features, it being one of the objects thereto to provide a holder so constructed and arranged whereby the transparent cover may be expeditiously removed to enable the cards to be more quickly changed thereby effecting a material saving in time.

Another object of the present invention resides in the construction of the cover in such a manner as to facilitate the withdrawal of a molding core or the like from the pocket thereof while at the same time maintaining the desired and preestablished inside dimensions of the pocket.

3,352,039 Patented Nov. 14, 1967 "ice A further object of the present invention is to provide a holder of the foregoing described character wherein the cover is secured to a base for instant removal and the prices changed in a minimum of time.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a holder of the foregoing described character equipped with a bracket for supporting the price cards within the pocket and at the same time cooperating with the cover to maintain the latter in fixed relation with the base.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a holder of the foregoing described character equipped with means for seating the cover on the base in a preestablished and fixed position to insure cooperation with the card holding bracket to prevent damage to the price cards by the weather.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a holder of the foregoing described character which is simple in construction, durable in use and economical in manufacture.

With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings from which the several features of the invention and the advantages attained thereby will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views;

FIGURE 1 is an elevation of the present invention partly in section;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a detailed sectional View taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an end view of a modified form of bracket with the cover and base being in section; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 4.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 3, inclusive, of the drawings, there is provided a base 10 provided with a depending post 11 attached to a plate 12 adapted to be secured to a gasoline pump or other desirable support. Mounted on the base is a U-shaped bracket 15 having a pair of confronting spaced arms 16 connected together by a base section 17, the latter being secured to the base 10 by screws 17a or other suitable means. Each of the arms 16 is of a U-shaped construction in cross-section and is formed with side flanges 18 connected together by an end portion 19.

A one-piece member or cover 20 is constructed of a transparent and relatively tough material, for instance, plastic and which may be of the type known as Lucite. The cover 20 is formed with a pocket 21 defined by end, side and top walls 22, 23 and 24, respectively. The side walls 23 are of a length whereby their lower ends snugly embrace the sides of the base 10, as clearly illustrated in FIGURE 2. The side walls 23 of the cover taper downwardly and outwardly from the top wall 24, while the flanges 18 of the arms 16 of the bracket 15 likewise taper downwardly and outwardly, whereby, when the cover 20 is inserted over the bracket 15, as shown in FIG- URES 2 and 3 of the drawings, the outer faces of the flanges 18 and inner faces of the walls 23 of the cover will have a tight and snug fit for securing the cover in fixed relation with the base. The lower outer faces of the walls 22 of the cover are formed with bosses 26 for seating engagement on the base 10 and which bosses are equipped with positioning pins or projections 27 extending into openings 28 formed in the base, as clearly illustrated in FIGURE 1, the projections serving to effect 3 proper seating of the cover relative to the base when inserted over the bracket 15.

Disposed between the flanges 18 of the arms 16 of the bracket 15 and seated upon the base section 17 thereof are a pair of display members or price cards 30 provided with indicia 31 on their outer faces for denoting the price of gasoline or the like, it being noted that the price cards are so arranged as to be viewed from either side of the holder. In some instances, it may be desirable thatthe cards be so constructed that tags or slips bearing price indicia may be readily detachably secured to their outer faces, thereby reducing the number of cards which would ordinarily be necessary for the various changing in the price of the gasoline. These tags or slips may be contained in an envelope 32 or the like and inserted between the, cards 30 as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings.

It is to be noted that one (or both) of the arms 16 of the bracket 15 may be provided with tensioning means for engaging the cover 20 in a manner to insure maintaining the cover in position with the base. In this form of the invention, as illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, each of the arms 16 of the bracket 15 is provided with a slot 35 through which projects the free end section 36 of a resilient finger 37. The latter has its opposite end section 38 disposed in engagement with the inner face of the arm 16, between the flanges 18, and is fixed to the 7 arm in a suitable manner, for example, by welding 39 or. otherwise. Itis also conceivable that the flanges 18 may be provided-with resilient fingers to effect a binding action with the side walls of the cover. Also, the flanges 18 of each arm 16 cooperate with the portion 19 to form a channel for receiving the cards.

Inasmuch as the side walls 23 of the cover taper downwardly and outwardly from the top wall 24, the end walls 23 may also taper downwardly and outwardly to coincide with a similar tapering of the portions 19 of the arms 16 of the bracket 15 to effect a binding fit therewith when the cover is disposed in closed position over the cards. Obviously, the tapering of the side and end walls of the cover will facilitate withdrawal of a core from the pocket when the cover is formed by a molding process.

In useassuming that the cover 20 has been removed from the base and the cards 30 carrying the desired price indicia on their outer faces disposed on the section 17 between the flanges 18 of the arms of the bracket the cover is inserted onto the base in a manner that the cards extend into the pocket 21 and the outer faces of the flanges 18 engage the inner faces of the walls 23 in binding relation therewith, the pins 29 being disposed in the openings 28 and effecting proper positioning of the cover relative to the bracket and base. When the cover is thus inserted, it will, due to the aforementioned binding of the cover and bracket, be maintained in connected relation with the base and thus resist an appreciable degree of dislodgment therefrom. In order to preclude any endwise play between the arms of the bracket and the cover, the arms may be modified to include the spring fingers 37 for engaging the cover. As disclosed herein, the present invention provides a simple and inexpensive means, whereby the price cards may be quickly changed without the manipulation and use of fastening devices, such as nuts, bolts, screws and the like, thus effecting a material savings in time.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain the invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and subcombinations.

It is obvious that the invention is not confined solely to the use herein disclosed in connection therewith as it may be utilized for any purpose to which it is adaptable.

It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction as illustrated and described, as the same is only illustrative of the principles involved which are capable of extended application 1n various forms, and the invention comprehends all construction within the scope of the appended claims. It is to be understood that the language used herein and in the claims is intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all state ments of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language,- may be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. In a holder of the class described, a base, a bracket fixed to said base and provided with angularly related end arms having channels disposed in confronting relation for receiving display members, a transparent cover seated on said base and provided with a pocket receiving said bracket and the members, said arms tapering downwardly and outwardly toward said base, said cover having side and end walls defining said pocket, said side walls tapering downwardly and outwardly toward said base and having binding engagement with said arms for maintaining said cover detachably connected to said base.

2. A holder according to claim 1 including, said base being provided adjacent said end walls with openings, said end walls equipped with pins disposed in said openings for guiding said cover onto said base to render and maintain said binding engagement effective.

3. In a holder of the class described, a base a pair of arms fixed to said base and having flanges defining channels disposed in confronting relation for receiving display members, a transparent cover seated on said base and provided with a pocket receiving said arms and the members, said flanges tapering downwardly and outwardly toward said base, said cover having side and end walls defining said pocket, said side walls tapering downwardly and outwardly toward said base and having binding engagement with said flanges for maintaining said cover detachably connected to said base.

4. In a holder of the class described, an elongated base provided at its ends with openings, a bracket fixed to said base and provided with angularly related end arms having channels disposed in confronting relation for receiving price cards, a transparent cover seated on said base and provided with a pocket receiving said bracket and the cards, said arms tapering downwardly and outwardly toward said base, said cover having end walls tapering downwardly and outwardly toward said base and having binding engagement with said arms for maintaining said cover on said base, said end walls being provided with bosses overlying said openings and having pins disposed in said openings for guiding said cover onto said base, said arms being equipped with resilient fingers for engaging walls of said cover to insure a tight fit between said arms and said cover.

5. A holder according to claim 4 including, said side walls of said cover engaging the sides of said base in snug relation therewith and coacting with said bosses to protect said cards from extraneous matter.

6. In a holder of the class described, a base, a bracket fixed to said base and provided with angularly related end arms having channels disposed in confronting relation for receiving display members, a transparent cover seated on said base and provided with a pocket receiving said bracket and the members, said arms tapering downwardly and outwardly toward said base, said cover having side and end walls defining said pocket, said side walls tapering downwardly and outwardly toward said base and having binding engagement with said arms for main taining said cover detachably connected to said base, said base being provided adjacent said end walls with openings, said end walls being provided with bosses engaging said base and overlying said openings, said end walls being equipped with pins disposed in said openings for guiding said cover onto said base to render and maintain said binding engagement effective, said side walls having margins disposed about the sides of said base in snug relation therewith and coacting with said bosses to protect the cards from extraneous matter.

7. A holder for indicia cards comprising a base, a pair of arms on said base, said arms being spaced apart and extending upright from said base, said arms each having a longitudinal groove therein, said groove in one arm being in opposed relation to said groove in the other arm, a transparent cover having substantially planar opposed side walls and opposed end walls and a top wall defining a pocket therein with an opening opposite said top wall, said cover end walls being apart a greater distance than said arms, said cover being telescoped over said arms and said base, and means providing frictional engagement between said arms and said cover, whereby indicia may be supported by said arm grooves and protected by said cover when the cover is applied over said arms.

8. The holder according to claim 7 wherein said frictional engagement means includes a tapered outer surface on each of said arms, said cover side Walls and end walls being tapered outwardly and downwardly from said top toward said pocket opening, whereby said cover is retained on said base by frictional engagement between said tapered arm surfaces and said cover.

9. The holder according to claim 7 wherein said cover includes bosses thereon adjacent said end walls, said base including abutment means in position to be engaged by said bosses when said cover is assembled on said base.

10. The holder according to claim 9 wherein said base is substantially rectangular and has a width and length less than the spacing between said respective cover side walls and said cover end walls, said abutment means including a flange extending outwardly from said base at opposite ends thereof, whereby said flange cooperates with said bosses to position said cover with respect to said base.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,636,500 7/1927 Cox 4010 1,856,619 5/1932 Carsey 4019 2,608,011 8/1952 Ten Hoeve et al. 40-10 X 2,790,257 4/1957 Ware 40-10 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

W. J. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A HOLDER OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, A BASE, A BRACKET FIXED TO SAID BASE AND PROVIDED WITH ANGULARLY RELATED END ARMS HAVING CHANNELS DISPOSED IN CONFRONTING RELATION FOR RECEIVING DISPLAY MEMBERS, A TRANSPARENT COVER SEATED ON SAID BASE AND PROVIDED WITH A POCKET RECEIVING SAID BRACKET AND THE MEMBERS, SAID ARMS TAPERING DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY TOWARD SAID BASE, SAID COVER HAVING SIDE AND END WALLS DEFINING SAID POCKET, SAID SIDE WALLS TAPERING DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY TOWARD SAID BASE AND HAVING BINDING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ARMS FOR MAINTAINING SAID COVER DETACHABLY CONNECTED TO SAID BASE. 